A Romance in Silver and Gold: The David Rapley Collection

Sworders are delighted to present a curated selection from the distinguished David Rapley Collection – a lifelong assemblage of fine silver, gold, and decorative arts. To be offered across a series of forthcoming auctions, the collection reflects decades of passion, expertise, and connoisseurship. Its first instalment will debut in our October Design auction, marked by a special exhibition at our London gallery in Cecil Court from 9 – 19 September, held in proud partnership with the London Design Festival.

David Rapley’s discerning eye for quality and originality has shaped an exceptional collection featuring works by leading 20th-century silversmiths and designers, alongside significant pieces by Scandinavian and other European makers. Among its many highlights are creations by master craftsman Stuart Devlin, whose innovative designs have long been central to David’s collecting journey.

This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore the breadth and artistry of a remarkable private collection before it is released to the market.

“My focus on modern silver began after I discovered a Stuart Devlin piece online – a silver-gilt egg, believed to be a prototype for his iconic series of surprise eggs,” explains Rapley. “Recognising Devlin’s originality and imagination, I began collecting his work extensively, eventually amassing over 100 pieces, many unique or specially commissioned.”

When Rapley met noted collector John Andrew at Sworders’ 2021 exhibition of Andrew’s own collection, Andrew remarked that Rapley’s holdings “may be one of the largest private Devlin collections in the UK.”

Alongside Devlin, David's collection expands to works by Christopher Nigel Lawrence, and Scandinavian makers such as David Andersen and Marius Hammer, who are also represented in this exhibition and demonstrate the breadth and sophistication of the collection.

Born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, in 1931, Stuart Devlin showed a passion for design from an early age, winning his first scholarship at 13 and achieving an Art Diploma with the highest marks ever awarded at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. By 1958, he had earned multiple scholarships, eventually studying at the Royal College of Art in London, where he became the only student to receive diplomas in Light Engineering Design and gold and silversmithing. Devlin gained fame in 1964 by designing Australia's first decimal coinage, and by 1972, he had earned numerous accolades, including a Royal Warrant of Appointment as Goldsmith and Jeweller to Queen Elizabeth II in 1982.

Known for his unique, biomorphic designs blending silver, filigree, and silver-gilt, Devlin's work defied clear stylistic categorisation, often evoking ancient or otherworldly aesthetics. His pieces, ranging from candelabras to furniture, combined artistry and function, and his signature use of rosewood added depth to his creations. After retiring to Littlehampton in 1992, Devlin embraced computer-aided design, continuing to push creative boundaries until his death in 2018. His groundbreaking contributions to the world of silversmithing and design cemented his legacy among the greats like Benvenuto Cellini and Paul Storr.

Stuart Devlin | A Romance in Silver and Gold

We are delighted to announce a substantial collection of hand-crafted items by the esteemed silver and goldsmith Stuart Devlin, debuting at our October Design auction. Characterised by Devlin's use of filigree work, unusual textures and the mixing of silver and silver-gilt to create two tone items, each piece displays minimalistic elegance.